At Summa Energy Solutions, we are in the business of providing energy metrics and analytics to our customers through our Vitality Energy Analytics software platform. Many immediately recognize the value of having real-time energy data on their facilities, but we often hear the question, “if I buy this, how much money will it save me? What is my ROI?”

The first time I heard that question, I was a little taken aback. Isn’t that a lot like asking, “if I buy a book full of good ideas on how to build a profitable business, what’s my ROI?” Obviously, the book itself can’t put money in my pocket. If I put it on a shelf, never read it, and never understand the concepts it could teach me, there is no ROI. It is of no value to me.

But if I’ll study it, carefully considering the ideas and implementing those that apply to my business, it might pay for itself on the first day. It might even launch me to a whole new level of business success. Now what’s the ROI?

The same could be said about real-time energy metrics and analytics. Their value lies in the insights they provide which can then be used to reduce energy consumption, clean up problems, be a more responsible energy consumer and reduce costs.

So, in the end, it is up to you. If you are committed to reducing your carbon footprint and lowering energy-related costs, energy analytics will provide you with the information you’ll need to be most effective. A single discovery might pay for the system overnight.

If on the other hand, you’re just going to shelve the data, you should save your money. You’ll probably need it to pay your utility bills.